Branch anchor



4 5, 1932. R. B. RICKABAUGH 1,852,378

BRANCH ANCHOR Filed Nov. 10, 1930 BY MAff w I776 ATTORNEY e Apr. 5, 1932 UI'TED STATES REUBEN B. RICKAIEAUGH, OF KELSEYVILLE, CALIFORNIA BRANCH ANCHOR Application filed November 10, 1930. serial No. 494,627.

lily invention relates to tree supporting means, and particularly to an anchor adapted to seat behind a crotched limb for securing a line which supports another limb of the E tree.

An object of the invention is the provision of a branch supporting means which supports one limb from another of the same tree.

.s inother object of my invention is the provision of branch supporting means which do not injure the tree and which are easily applied or removed.

Another object of this invention is the provision of branch supporting; means which do not interfere with the cultivation of the soil.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of my invention and shows the method of securing the line to the anchor.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another in embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing a modification of the anchor of my invention.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken M on the line 4- of Figure 3.

Broadly my invention comprises a plate adapted to be placed behind a crotched limb to serve an anchor to which one end of a line may be secured, while the other end of A, the line is attached to the limb to be supported.

Considerable difficulty is experienced by orchardi in propping up trees, particularlv fruit trees during the bearing season, to

prevent limbs from breaking. either from Weight of fruit or because of heavy winds. litany devices have been suggested but nothing entirely satisfactory has been dev ped. Groundpropsstuchunderthe limbs are satisfactory long as the wind does not blow, but they interfere with the cultivation of the soil. Supporting one limb by tying it to other limbs of the tree is more satisfactory, but frequently causes injury to the trees andis not extensively used for that reason. The anchor of my invention is designed to overcome the objectionable features found in this latter method of supportin g limbs.

In greater detail the anchor of my invention comprises a plate 2 of any desired shape. such as round or square, and made of wood, metal or any other suitable material. This plate is adapted to seat behind a crotched limb and is held in that position by a line 3 suitably secured to the plate. The line may be a rope, wire or cable and must be strong enough to support the weight of a limb. The line is. preferably secured to the anchor by passing thru the aperture l provided adjacent the center of the anchor and is held in that position by a knot 6 tied in the end.

To apply the device to a tree the anchor with the line attached is lifted by means of a forked stick or any other suitable implement and placed as high up in the tree as 75 possible on the outside of a forked or crotched limb. Then the line is pulled the anchor settles snugly behind the crotch with the line ext-ending thru the crotch toward the center of the tree. The limb to be supported is then lifted to the desired position and the lower end of the line secured to it by another anchor if there be a convenient crotch, or by a suitable stirrup or other means.

It is practically impossible to accidentally 8 disengage the anchor yet it may be quickly released by loosening the line and giving it a sharp flip. It is installed or removed without the necessity of using a ladder or climbing into the tree, and causes no inconvenience in the cultivation of the soil below the branches.

In some instances where a fairly heavy rope is being used for a line, the form of anchor shown in Figure 2 will be found preferable as 9 it will take less time to slip the rope into the slot 7, than it would to thread it thru the aperture d shown in Figure 1.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have shown another form of the invention in which the anchor 8 is made of non-rusting metal having rounded peripheral edges 9 which are placed next to the tree to prevent cutting or bruising.

The edge of the aperture 11 is also rounded to protect the rope or cable passing thru it and terminating in a knot on the concave side of theanichor. This formrof anchorilasts indefinitely and may, desired be left in the tree all the time, particularly if the .line is a Wire or cable of similar metal.

I claim:

1. A branch anchor comprising a ,plate adapted to seat behind the fork of a crotched limb, and a line secured to said plate :and

-. adapted to pass thru the crotch to a limb to be supported.

:2. rbranch anchor comprising a plate having an aperture therein and adapted 'to seat behind a'cro'tched limb, and a line knotted dnsaidaperture, said line lbein g adapted to pass thru said crotch to a limb to be supported.

3. A branch anchor comprising a plate having a: slotted aperture r'therein, and-adapted to seat behinda crotchetl limb,'and1a"rope in said slot and terminating in :a-knot adj ac'ent thereto, said rope being adapted to pass thru said crotch ltoa limb to be supp'orted. V v V A branch anchor comprising a :circular plate lhaving'rounded edges to prevent bruising the tree, said "plate being adapted to seat behind a crotched limb, zand a line passing thru and terminating in a knot on the concave side of said plate, and :adapted to pass thru said crotch to a limb to Ibe Supported.

5. A branch anchor comprising a plate adapted to seat behind thefork of-a 'crotched limb, and a line secured to said plate and adapted to pass ithru the crotch to a limb to be supported so ithat 1a low'nward pull on the line results in :the plate settling more snugly behind the crotch While an upward flip of the line releasesithe plate from its anchored position. i

In testimony whereof I "have hereunto set my hand.

REUBEN B. iRIGKA'BAUGH. 

